Blind can learn to use echoes

EIGHT STUDENTS from the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under Her Majesty the Queen’s patronage will undergo training in “human echolocation”, a technique that borrows from bats’ use of sound to detect distances between objects.

The two experts booked to lead the course are from World Access for the Blind, a US-based international non-profit, non-governmental and educational organisation that aids in the physical, mental and personal development of people with all forms of blindness. It also raises public awareness about the strengths and capabilities of blind people.

The two-week course begins on October 24, and two or three additional sessions will be held later to ensure that the students are able to adapt the technique in their daily lives.

People can mimic the practice of bats, dolphins and toothed whales, making a sound – a clicking of the tongue, a tap of the cane, a light stomp of the foot, or a snap of the fingers – and reading in the echoes the presence of nearby objects. Once trained to orient by echolocation, they can accurately determine the objects’ location and size. 

“Research has found that the ability to identify objects occurs as neurological analysis in the back of the brain,” Professor ML Thaya Kitiyakorn explained at the recent fundraising dinner “See the World” at the Sofitel So Bangkok Hotel. 

“In many countries this training has been developed to help the blind identify objects within their surroundings. The technique enables them to live on their own in comfort and with confidence and to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings without assistance.”

More than 500,000 Thais are visually impaired to varying degrees but technically blind, it was noted.

Celebrity business entrepreneurs Prairpan Tumwattana, Natthaseth Poonsapmanee and Virawat Ongwasit of the GI (Good Intentions) Foundation organised the dinner. The money raised will pay for the training course, dubbed the “Potential Development in Model Echolocation Training Project: Bright Sonar Navigator”.

“This is an important project because the training lets blind people live normal lives without fear or worry,” Prairpan said.

“Their friends and caretakers will have less to worry about as well, and won’t have to spend as many hours helping them. I look at this as a way to bring happiness to blind people and their families, but the training is expensive, so we need additional financing. The charity dinner is bringing people together for some fun and to support a worthy cause.”

Many famous faces were seen at the event, including ML Vararom Jumpala, Pavarisa Penchart, Pranai Phornprapa, Pasu Lippatapllop, Dr Suriya Pollworalak, Nalinee Siriwa-thanaksorn, Supachai Karnchana- sakchai, Pimdao Panichsamai, Bunyapa Benjaronkagul, Janie Tienphosuwan, Surabot Leekphai, Prakarn Riva, Wutthithorn Milintha- jinda, Atthama Chivanichpan and Chollada Mekratri. 

Four luxury items were auctioned off, together bringing in Bt1.65 million.

Pracha Prakoonsuksabhan paid Bt200,000 for a stay at the Sofitel So and Kitiphat Neungchamnong got a diamond butterfly brooch from Nara Joaillerie for Bt250,000. A gorgeous watch from Memorigin went to Thanatatch Kamolrattanapibul for Bt300,000, and an artwork by comedian Udom “Nose” Taepanich was sold to Dr Dossapol Chansiri for Bt500,000. 

Film studio GDH 559 lent its support in the form of movie demonstrating the echolocation technique and a documentary in 10 10-minute episodes for distribution among the news media.

Foundation president Khan Prachuabmoh pointed out that the training project enables blind people to earn a living on their own, but acknowledged that bringing in the American specialists is costly. 

“I’m very pleased to see the younger generation of business entrepreneurs show their concern by supporting the project,” he said. “It gets me closer to achieving my goal of helping the blind live normally, pursue an education at higher levels and make a living in a variety of professions.”